How can I get my chickens to use their coop?

[Mourningdove]

Hello everyone! I have been reading all the different posts and have just joined this forum! I haven't had a whole lot of experience personally raising chickens so that is why I am here!
I am needing to find out why I can't get my chickens to roost inside their coop, they have always roost outside and it gets cold here.
We had an open shed type structure that we put 4 walls and a door on, with roost and nesting boxes inside and I can't get them to go in there at night. Also should I have lights and heat inside? I know lots of questions...Anyone able to help me?

 

[ChickenToes]

Try herding them into the coop every night before they start roosting. After a few nights of doing this they should get the right idea.

 

[Mourningdove]

Thanks for your responce! I have tried to do this but they won't cooperate with me, I have thought if I could get them in there then I could keep em looked in there a couple of days, seems mine are smartys.
I have at presant 2 covered runs, 1 run has a pair of BBReds in it and they use their house. The larger run has 5 hens & 2 roosters.

 

[ChickenToes]

It works better if you have 2 people. When my husband and I first put our birds outside we both had to herd them into the coop for the first 2 or 3 nights, then they got the idea.

 

[EliteTempleton]

They say after a week of herding the birds get the idea, I am lucky and never had any trouble.

Be warned lights inside the coop, if you choose to do so, make sure they turn off before the sun goes down otherwise they might not want to go in at all cuz they like to/need to sleep in the dark, also they will get stressed if the lights just suddenly turn off while they are in the coop.

 

[Mourningdove]

thanks I shall try that! My husband let me get theese chickens and I was determined to do it all myself so I wouldn't bother him!
Oh by the way...when I got my roosters 1 is black and the man selling them said it was a black giant...but he has white in his tailfeathers and tourquios all through his feathers, my son in law says he is a warhorse roo..What the hec is a warhorse in chickens?

 

[gritsar]

Get your chickens into the coop in whichever way you have to do it; herding or whatever. Then lock them in for a week. Then when you start to let them out again, do so about an hour before sundown and increase the time out as you go; 2 hrs. before sundown, then three, etc.
It sounds cruel to lock them up for a week I know. They won't like it and you'll feel like **** for doing it, but it'll program their little brains to consider the coop their safety zone.
It beats herding them in every night fo the rest of their lives.

 

[lovemychix]

I have the opposite problem. I wish mine would go out more. The love their coop. I knew I shouldn't have painted all those pretty colors in there.

They think it's the Holiday Inn. Comfy roosts and breakfast in bed.

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
Never heard of a warhorse roo - maybe he means it's mixed-bred?

We'd love to see pictures!

 

[Mourningdove]

I will try to go and take his picture and upload it here. His name is Blackie! I will also get a pic of Rudy...both of theese roosters were bought as young "hens"! Someone will have to instruct me as to how to get pics up here.